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dbirkhead · 05-19-2012, 04:50 PM

With the help of several forum members we have decided that we want to get either the Yamaha EF1000 or Honda EU1000 generator. Anyone have a strong opinion either way? We will be using it with our 19' Bambi, primarily for LED lights, water pump & battery charging. Thanks!

AWCHIEF · 05-19-2012, 05:02 PM

Both brands are quality product. I heard a Yamaha 2000 running today and was really surprised how quite it was. A small generator is also on my short list of items to buy but I am going with at least a 2000.

**DKB_SATX** · 05-19-2012, 05:03 PM

Pretty much every owner of a Yamaha will tell you to buy blue, and every Honda owner will swear you should buy red. Between those two, I'd say find the best total price and enjoy your generator.

(full disclosure: I have a Yamaha 3000 I bought used from a member of my WBCCI unit who's buying a BIGGER Yamaha. So far so good.)

idroba · 05-19-2012, 05:10 PM

I expect both are good to great. I have a Honda 1000, and a 3000, and they are both fine machines.

JimW · 05-19-2012, 06:01 PM

I have the Yamaha 2000. I like having a fuel gauge and all the controls on one side. It runs flawlessly and the color is right for an AS. It's been a while since I bought it but it seems the Yamaha was cheaper and/ro came with free accessories compared with the Hondas of the time.

JIM

AirsDream · 05-19-2012, 06:14 PM

I have two Yamahas ... a 2400 and a 6600. Both run swell. Everyone I know who has a Honda likes it too. I'd go with whoever near you has the repair department with the best reputation, 'cause everything mechanical eventually needs service, and if you don't do it yourself, you want someone competent spinning the wrenches.

Wayne&Sam · 05-19-2012, 06:16 PM

I have a Honda 1000, Honda 2000 and a Yamaha 2400. The only difference I've found is when I pick up one of them to put it in the vehicle I usually end up tipping it. The Hondas leak gas from the carb and the Yamaha doesn't. Must be something to do with the shut offs. I prefer the Yamaha because it doesn't make me live with the smell of leaked fuel.

idroba · 05-19-2012, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AirsDream

I have two Yamahas ... a 2400 and a 6600. Both run swell. Everyone I know who has a Honda likes it too. I'd go with whoever near you has the repair department with the best reputation, 'cause everything mechanical eventually needs service, and if you don't do it yourself, you want someone competent spinning the wrenches.

Very good point. I have my Honda 3000 because a friend took it for repairs because it would not start. They took it apart and said "it needs a new gas tank and that will be $600 please. He said no. They gave it back to him in several boxes of parts, would not put it back together unless he paid for a "new gas tank". He gave me the parts, I figured out the puzzle of putting it back together (and there was nothing at all wrong with the gas tank) and it now runs fine. The crooks called him a month after he picked it back up and offered to buy the pieces from him.

Another friend has a Honda 2000 with starting issues. His dealer said "it is worn out and repairs will be more than the thing is worth. It is about 4 years old, and probably has 200 to 300 hours on it and it is "worn out". I doubt that but have not had a chance to look at it.

I am sure this is not just Honda dealers, Yamaha probably has some of them too. But ask around if you can about how satisfied people are with the repair shop side of the business. Repair costs can be high and things like the little carbs the machines are fussy about the gas quality we get these days, and will most likely need service over their lifetime.

TinShack · 05-19-2012, 07:23 PM

You really can't go wrong with either. It comes down to what color do you prefer, blue or red?

Actually, I've had a Honda EU2000i for 11 years, use it regularly (about 910 hours) and no problems. Still runs like day one. Love it!

**DKB_SATX** · 05-19-2012, 07:25 PM

@idroba: re: the shop that dismantled what later became your Honda 3000... that sounds like a fun application of small-claims torture. For the filing fee your friend could've really worried the scumbags. It's one thing to demand payment for their time for troubleshooting, another entirely to refuse to reassemble it. I'm guessing you put it together with the existing fuel tank and it runs fine, so $600 is a good number to talk about, I think that's fit in small-claims territory in most states.

wolf146 · 05-20-2012, 03:26 PM

I have had both a Yamaha 2800i and a Honda 2000i for years and both are excellent units. The Honda 2000i is somewhat quieter but that is probably because of the smaller size compared to the Yamaha. The Yamaha will run my air conditioner if it is really hot outside. wolf146

Kamiak · 05-20-2012, 04:18 PM

I have a Honda but I've heard nothing negative that would significantly differentiate one brand from the other. As to your capacity, the 1000w will do all the things that you described, but that is about all. The 2000w on the other hand, albeit slightly heavier, slightly louder, slightly thistier, and slightly pricier will do just about everything you need, now or later, except run your AC. My recommendation is to buy the 2000w. Your needs may be currently quite simple; however our "needs" and RV style tend to evolve over time, and the 2000 will be far better suited to meet that evolution at a very small price differential.

aftermath · 05-20-2012, 05:58 PM

I have a Honda 2000 and am happy with it. I can run everything except the AC. In my older trailer I ran the micro.

A 1000 might have some limitations. My cousin has a very old Honda 650 with a cast iron engine. It is quiet but very heavy. It also runs like a dream and starts on the first pull every time.

Both are good.

ROBERT CROSS · 05-20-2012, 06:28 PM

Had a Yamaha 1000 with our 63 Safari, now have a Honda 2000, both first rate units. Ck the features and take your pick, you won't be sorry.

Bob

Hibby · 05-20-2012, 06:37 PM

I have a pair of Honda 2000's and love them. However I would agree with most comments in that Yamaha and Honda are equivalent. I like the Honda because of the companion model which has a 30 amp outlet that can be used when the two are run in parallel with each other using a simple connection kit.

golddigger · 05-20-2012, 08:27 PM

I use a Yamaha 1000 with a propane conversion. Its great. Can run continuously for almost 3 days on a 30lbs bottle of propane. I use it for winter camping. And when I am done with it, I just put it my trailer, if I'm out for the day. I does not smell like a gasoline version.

I use it to keep my batteries topped off, to feed 120V into LED lights, etc, to watch satellite TV and so forth. With it I have no qualms about running my furnace when I'm in places with no hookup. And, since its gasoline tank is not used after it has been converted, it is light to move in and out of the truck.

JFScheck · 05-20-2012, 09:44 PM

Buy the Yamaha, because I have one and it's blue...

They are both great generators - either one should suit you well....

chiefneon · 05-21-2012, 10:56 AM

Howdy!

Not sure about the Yamaha but I know you can connect a external fuel tank for extended run time to a Honda 2000. Anyone know if you can do this with the Yamaha 2000? If not its a plus for Honda generator.

"Happy Trails"
chiefneon

**azflycaster** · 05-21-2012, 11:06 AM

You can't go wrong with either of these brands. They are both quality units built to give many years of use with little maintenance required.

I have a Honda EU100i which works very well for me. It charges the battery and lets us watch an occasional movie on a rain day. We do not have a microwave and if we need Air Conditioning we are camping in the wrong area.